Forum activity dying down?
I'm not saying you shouldn't have or make friends from forums. I guess my point was that it annoys me the people who talk about "drama" being why they stay away from somewhere, when nobody knows or cares what they are talking about. It's a made up word that people use when they have a disagreement with someone to try and make it like it's all personal, when forums are for impersonal discussions. I guess I'm just saying, I see people a lot complaining about "drama", when I don't believe it's possible to exist on a forum like this, and the people who complain about it are the worst offenders. Which I guess makes me a third string offender.
I personally don't think it's a good idea to have friends that you've never met to be considered as close friends, because you really DON'T know who they are. I'm not speaking to scott and morris's personal interactions with people from forums because I don't know the situation, I'm just talking in a general sense from my perspective. It's probably hard for me to get across what I'm actually trying to say, but I guess it doesn't matter. No need to perpetuate it, I'll just shutup now. I like pretty much everyone on here to a degree, and I just try to be likable as well, but I feel like not everyone puts forth that effort.
I personally don't think it's a good idea to have friends that you've never met to be considered as close friends, because you really DON'T know who they are. I'm not speaking to scott and morris's personal interactions with people from forums because I don't know the situation, I'm just talking in a general sense from my perspective. It's probably hard for me to get across what I'm actually trying to say, but I guess it doesn't matter. No need to perpetuate it, I'll just shutup now. I like pretty much everyone on here to a degree, and I just try to be likable as well, but I feel like not everyone puts forth that effort.
I missed you the other day get back to me when you can
Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Fort Hood, TX
The Forum Lifecycle and Those Who Monitor Them
Been around forums for a bit, addicted to some, moderated others, or just a simple member like I am here. A good older read that I have always seen on forums, EVERY forum I have been on. It's a lifecycle.
Been around forums for a bit, addicted to some, moderated others, or just a simple member like I am here. A good older read that I have always seen on forums, EVERY forum I have been on. It's a lifecycle.
Online forums thrive on the idea of a free exchange of thought. If your business provides a forum you are making it possible for people around the globe to share their ideas and perspectives.
Because a single perspective may be at odds with another divergent idea the employment of one or more moderators is vital. This does not mean that the business owner must moderate it, but they can either hire a freelance moderator or they can accept a volunteer moderator from their membership list.
Forums can and occasionally do get heated with two or more individuals posting material that may be considered inflammatory or simply designed to ruffle feathers. This is where the moderator comes in.
Rules should be posted and pinned (stickied) to the top of your forum categories. These rules should be prominent with strong encouragement to read and abide by them. Failure to follow the guidelines could result in either the suspension or banning of a user in violation of the rules.
Obviously this action is taken as a last resort, but sometimes it is very difficult to rein certain forum members in.
The moderator should use both caution and wisdom in making a decision about the status of a forum member who violates the rules.
Posts that attack a person should be dealt with quickly and, in some cases, should be removed.
Not everyone who signs up for your forum will stay indefinitely. You may even have some members who will sign up look around and never post. Other member can best be described as lurkers. These members are content to read other posts, but rarely provide their own feedback. This may be a matter of comfort or a simple desire to learn what they can without becoming overly involved in a community such as a forum.
The third group of members will likely be the smallest percentage of participants. These members will be active and will spend a significant amount of time with the forum and will respond when others have a question or comment. It is typically from this small pool that you may find your volunteer moderators.
You should also know there is a certain lifecycle to forums. You may find a burst of participation from a core group of members that can last several months, but little by little these cyber veterans drop by less and less while new recruits take their place. An established forum will change dynamics multiple times over its existence. This is normal and is to be expected. You may also find there may be a need to replace your moderators from time to time especially if they are volunteer. Their interest may decrease over time or their circumstances might change - always make it easy for them to pursue a new life dynamic by leaving them in the driver's seat when it comes to the length of their involvement.
Don't spend too much time lamenting the changing dynamic because it means you are gaining new interest in your forum and, by proxy, your products or services.
Forums provide an excellent opportunity to reach out to consumers, but it's always in a state of flux. Allow your forum to roll with the punches.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/829174
Because a single perspective may be at odds with another divergent idea the employment of one or more moderators is vital. This does not mean that the business owner must moderate it, but they can either hire a freelance moderator or they can accept a volunteer moderator from their membership list.
Forums can and occasionally do get heated with two or more individuals posting material that may be considered inflammatory or simply designed to ruffle feathers. This is where the moderator comes in.
Rules should be posted and pinned (stickied) to the top of your forum categories. These rules should be prominent with strong encouragement to read and abide by them. Failure to follow the guidelines could result in either the suspension or banning of a user in violation of the rules.
Obviously this action is taken as a last resort, but sometimes it is very difficult to rein certain forum members in.
The moderator should use both caution and wisdom in making a decision about the status of a forum member who violates the rules.
Posts that attack a person should be dealt with quickly and, in some cases, should be removed.
Not everyone who signs up for your forum will stay indefinitely. You may even have some members who will sign up look around and never post. Other member can best be described as lurkers. These members are content to read other posts, but rarely provide their own feedback. This may be a matter of comfort or a simple desire to learn what they can without becoming overly involved in a community such as a forum.
The third group of members will likely be the smallest percentage of participants. These members will be active and will spend a significant amount of time with the forum and will respond when others have a question or comment. It is typically from this small pool that you may find your volunteer moderators.
You should also know there is a certain lifecycle to forums. You may find a burst of participation from a core group of members that can last several months, but little by little these cyber veterans drop by less and less while new recruits take their place. An established forum will change dynamics multiple times over its existence. This is normal and is to be expected. You may also find there may be a need to replace your moderators from time to time especially if they are volunteer. Their interest may decrease over time or their circumstances might change - always make it easy for them to pursue a new life dynamic by leaving them in the driver's seat when it comes to the length of their involvement.
Don't spend too much time lamenting the changing dynamic because it means you are gaining new interest in your forum and, by proxy, your products or services.
Forums provide an excellent opportunity to reach out to consumers, but it's always in a state of flux. Allow your forum to roll with the punches.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/829174
IB Staff
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: US
I'm in for this story...anybody want to elaborate for those of us just joining the RF party? PM or in the open.. no repercussion.
Kris, Adam and I are open ears for feedback and this thread has been a good read for me so far as I become more acquainted with Ranger-Forums and its history.
We put the mobile template in place and will be working on a mobile application this year for those of you asking for it, it is long overdue for many of our communities and I personally don't view most forums or personal sites I go to on anything but my phone(besides at work) so I can understand the need for that upgrade.
-Nolan
Kris, Adam and I are open ears for feedback and this thread has been a good read for me so far as I become more acquainted with Ranger-Forums and its history.
We put the mobile template in place and will be working on a mobile application this year for those of you asking for it, it is long overdue for many of our communities and I personally don't view most forums or personal sites I go to on anything but my phone(besides at work) so I can understand the need for that upgrade.
-Nolan
As posted on the previous page, A couple members have a history with being trolls for a lack of better term.
Are you gonna keep the option of having a traditional site if people don't like moble/tapatalk versions?
Are you gonna keep the option of having a traditional site if people don't like moble/tapatalk versions?
IB Staff
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: US
Totally understandable for a community with a model that is no longer made and has been out for some time. How is the off-topic section? Do many older users still converse there or is it newer guys?
Older members still converse in various threads they join in, I don't see dedicated threads for it though.
Regardless of some members who are trolls, many had valuable contributions to the site. For instance you can browse the How To's and see a bunch of threads from a banned member.
I'm on here a lot. I use a lot of old threads for mods I have yet to complete, but I've also talked quite a bit with members and even talk to them outside the site. Even though I wish all those old members were still around like they were, I like what the newer guys are bringing to the site
Regardless of some members who are trolls, many had valuable contributions to the site. For instance you can browse the How To's and see a bunch of threads from a banned member.
I'm on here a lot. I use a lot of old threads for mods I have yet to complete, but I've also talked quite a bit with members and even talk to them outside the site. Even though I wish all those old members were still around like they were, I like what the newer guys are bringing to the site
I got banned for posting a classified for GGW DVDs for another member. Per usual and jumping to conclusions, i got banned because the admin thought it was a joke. The classified had 1 single image and it was just the spines of the DVDs. If I had any intentions of actually getting banned I wouldn't of posted a picture of the DVD spines.
If some staff can take jokes, and stop abusing their power because they were picked on as a child, there really wouldn't be any problems or reasons that some people stay away. The previous owner of the site also covered up half of the reason a very reputable administrator left. Although he's now back as a regular member, the whole situation was stupid, leading to some poor judgement on staff picks, IMO. 2 of the 4 which were promoted still remain as moderators, clearly because they're actually helpful.
He's been permanently banned (till this day) for posting 8===D on Adam's visitor messages.
I got banned for posting a classified for GGW DVDs for another member. Per usual and jumping to conclusions, i got banned because the admin thought it was a joke. The classified had 1 single image and it was just the spines of the DVDs. If I had any intentions of actually getting banned I wouldn't of posted a picture of the DVD spines.
I got banned for posting a classified for GGW DVDs for another member. Per usual and jumping to conclusions, i got banned because the admin thought it was a joke. The classified had 1 single image and it was just the spines of the DVDs. If I had any intentions of actually getting banned I wouldn't of posted a picture of the DVD spines.
Detroiter's will get this joke
*****!
He's been permanently banned (till this day) for posting 8===D on Adam's visitor messages.
I got banned for posting a classified for GGW DVDs for another member. Per usual and jumping to conclusions, i got banned because the admin thought it was a joke. The classified had 1 single image and it was just the spines of the DVDs. If I had any intentions of actually getting banned I wouldn't of posted a picture of the DVD spines.
If some staff can take jokes, and stop abusing their power because they were picked on as a child, there really wouldn't be any problems or reasons that some people stay away. The previous owner of the site also covered up half of the reason a very reputable administrator left. Although he's now back as a regular member, the whole situation was stupid, leading to some poor judgement on staff picks, IMO. 2 of the 4 which were promoted still remain as moderators, clearly because they're actually helpful.
I got banned for posting a classified for GGW DVDs for another member. Per usual and jumping to conclusions, i got banned because the admin thought it was a joke. The classified had 1 single image and it was just the spines of the DVDs. If I had any intentions of actually getting banned I wouldn't of posted a picture of the DVD spines.
If some staff can take jokes, and stop abusing their power because they were picked on as a child, there really wouldn't be any problems or reasons that some people stay away. The previous owner of the site also covered up half of the reason a very reputable administrator left. Although he's now back as a regular member, the whole situation was stupid, leading to some poor judgement on staff picks, IMO. 2 of the 4 which were promoted still remain as moderators, clearly because they're actually helpful.
As for those that are helpful, hopefully I am one of them. :-)
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 7,110
Likes: 3
From: Nashville, NC
lol at all of this.
Ive met some good friends from this forum, and others. Even though Ive never met them face to face, they have ALWAYS proven helpful and willing to sacrifice their time for me and others.
Regardless of the forum's current inactivity, I hope that this forum never dies.
Even though Ive only been a staff member for a short time, Ive seen a lot of people come and go. I feel that this is inevitable.
I dont know what else to say right now, so Im gonna go eat some pancakes and sausage.
Ive met some good friends from this forum, and others. Even though Ive never met them face to face, they have ALWAYS proven helpful and willing to sacrifice their time for me and others.
Regardless of the forum's current inactivity, I hope that this forum never dies.
Even though Ive only been a staff member for a short time, Ive seen a lot of people come and go. I feel that this is inevitable.
I dont know what else to say right now, so Im gonna go eat some pancakes and sausage.
Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
From: new jersey
i've always just lurked. people need to start doing cool **** to their trucks again so i have something to look at. otherwise i'd have to take matters into my own hands and start posting **** about how i just did leveling coils and how gnarrrrr it looks.
Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
I don't post very often because I'm not too mechanically inclined, don't have tons of extra cash to blow doing mods, and feel that 4bangers aren't too important in the Ranger community here.
I wonder if the fact that these trucks are no longer made could be a reason for declined activity. If more and more members are getting rid of their trucks for F-150's or just larger trucks, and no new ones are being produced, it's only a matter of time before more and more see junk yards and crushers.
I wonder if the fact that these trucks are no longer made could be a reason for declined activity. If more and more members are getting rid of their trucks for F-150's or just larger trucks, and no new ones are being produced, it's only a matter of time before more and more see junk yards and crushers.
True but now all these trucks that still have some life are gonna bought as used. I know of 3-5 in my city on lots that are for sale. 1 of them is an 04. The person who buys that truck is gonna eventually need to do maintenance. Heck even me w/ an 08 is gonna need to do some soon.
Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
True but now all these trucks that still have some life are gonna bought as used. I know of 3-5 in my city on lots that are for sale. 1 of them is an 04. The person who buys that truck is gonna eventually need to do maintenance. Heck even me w/ an 08 is gonna need to do some soon.
I love the forum though, that's why I became a supporter! Still haven't gotten my RF stickers but it's not like I'm complaining about that, I likely wouldn't have stuck them to anything but a work bench or something.
I agree with that, but me, for example, I bought mine in 2004 and didn't even know this forum existed until 2007..
I love the forum though, that's why I became a supporter! Still haven't gotten my RF stickers but it's not like I'm complaining about that, I likely wouldn't have stuck them to anything but a work bench or something.
I love the forum though, that's why I became a supporter! Still haven't gotten my RF stickers but it's not like I'm complaining about that, I likely wouldn't have stuck them to anything but a work bench or something.
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barrman
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Feb 25, 2009 06:11 PM
